17th suspicious fire reported in Houston's Heights area

17th suspicious fire in Houston's Heights area

The 17th recent suspicious fire in the Heights area burned a garage before dawn this morning, firefighters said.

The blaze broke out around 4:30 a.m. at the garage in the 900 block of West 19th Street. Firefighters were able to put out the flames quickly.

Officials said it appeared an accelerant had been poured on the outside of the building, near a window, and lit.

The string of intentional fires began in August. Most have occurred in the predawn hours and involved abandoned or unoccupied structures. There have been no injuries.

Richard Bedgood, who lives across the street, said he's particularly fearful because he's surrounded by unoccupied buildings, including an abandoned home next door on one side and an unoccupied commercial building on the other.

"We need to stop this arsonist," he said. "I hope to God they catch this person."

Arson officials said the latest fire is under investigation and declined to comment further.